Movie star twins in the spotlight as The Nightingale’s Australian premiere draws closer

THESE two-year-old Tasmanian twins play a starring role in The Nightingale film, but it will be years before they get the opportunity to admire their own handiwork.

Two-year-old twins Maya and Addison Christie played each other’s body double in The Nightingale. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

TWO-year-old Tasmanian twins Maya and Addison Christie play a starring role in The Nightingale film, but it will be years before they get the opportunity to admire their own handiwork.

The twins will take centre stage when The Nightingale, filmed predominantly in Tasmania and set in 1828 convict Van Diemen’s Land, makes its Australian premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival in October.

The announcement comes on the back of the period thriller being selected for competition at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival.

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The Nightingale follows the story of Irish convict Clare (played by Irish-Italian actor Aisling Franciosi), who seeks revenge on a British officer for violent acts he committed against her family.

The Nightingale was filmed mostly in Tasmania, including this scene in Oatlands.

Maya and Addison’s mother, Carrone, said the twins, who together play the daughter of Clare and Aidan (Michael Sheasby), had a blast on set.

“They were after identical twin girls and nobody else had them so everyone was tagging me in it [on social media],” Ms Christie said.

“They wanted dark eyes because Aisling has brown eyes.

“I thought ‘OK, the girls won’t have a chance but I’ll just send a photo in’, and … it just went from there.

“We had our own trailer and all that sort of stuff so they still stayed in their routine.

“They were just amazing on set, they loved it — they loved all the attention.”

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The film’s Australian premiere is just around the corner, but Maya and Addison won’t be seeing it any time soon.

“I don’t think I’ll let them see it until they’re about 18 — it’s a bit horrific,” Ms Christie said.

Arts Minister Elise Archer said the production was supported with $250,000 in funding from the State Government and injected around $4.5 million into the local economy, in addition to employing more than 70 Tasmanian cast and crew.

“Predominantly shot in Tasmania, the film showcases our unique heritage and landscapes to the rest of the world, and will add to Tasmania’s growing reputation as a destination of choice for filmmakers,” Ms Archer said.

The Adelaide Film Festival will also feature the world premiere of virtual reality cinematic installation The Waiting Room, from Tasmanians Molly Reynolds and Rolf de Heer.